We've heard for years how the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids is supposedly beneficial for our health. And numerous studies have claimed that omega-3s may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
And yet, in spite of the many published studies, research, and findings, the relation of the consumption of omega-3 fatty acid and different types of cancer remains unsettled, if not, controversial.
A paper published in the journal Advances in Nutrition sheds new light on the topic.
As per the authors of this scientific analysis, diversities in types and doses of omega-3 fatty acids had an impact on the conclusions of studies on different types of cancer included in previously published meta-analyses, which led to conflicting and inconsistent results in the meta-analysis. As such, this calls for a systematic approach to proof.
In light of the failures of previous studies, the authors have stated that their aim "to provide an overview and evaluate the validity of reported associations of omega-3 fatty acids with various cancer risks by the first umbrella review of the evidence across existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies."
In order to evaluate whether a correlation exists between the intake of omega 3 fatty acids and the cancer outcomes and to evaluate how strong this combination is, the authors evaluated the evidence by analyzing the results of 57 meta-analyses. The data, in turn, reviewed information from the individual studies on the relation between omega-3 fatty acids and cancer in order to define the strength of this correlation.
Surprisingly, the authors found that while omega-3 fatty acids were frequently used as food supplements and numerous studies have been published on omega-3 fatty acids, there is no convincing evidence for the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of cancer.
However, the authors suggested some poor evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower breast, liver, prostate, and brain tumor cancers. One of the possible reasons for weak evidence on the overall risk of organ-specific cancer for omega 3 fatty acids is the combination of organically heterogenous subtypes of cancer into a single entity that has been conducted in most epidemiological studies, the authors said.
The authors called on further studies to identify the actual effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of cancer through an individual meta-analysis of patient data to determine whether or not omega-3 fatty acids prevent cancer with a high degree of confidence.
